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A young secondary school pupil was was told to "get in the van" by a man who approached him on his way home.

Sarah Adams said her son 12-year-old Alfie has been suffering from anxiety since the incident near The Beacon School, in Banstead, and although it happened on Wednesday, October 11 he has only just told her about it.

She now wants to warn other parents to be vigilant.

Alfie was walking on his own down Beacon Way when he was approached by a man in a black van with pink writing on its side.

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Surrey Police have confirmed they are investigating and while there are not thought to have been any further reports since last month, Miss Adams wants to warn others.

The 31-year-old, of Nork Way, said: "When I found out I felt so angry, I had this feeling I think most mums get when they feel their child has been in some way attacked. I just wanted to go and find the man and kill them, it's just so wrong.

"You never expect it to happen to your own child and fortunately nothing happened as he remembered what I told him, and just ran away, bless him."

Sarah Adams with her son Alfie who was approached by a man in a van on his way back from The Beacon School (Image: Grant Melton)

Alfie usually walks home with a group of friends as it's only a 15 minute walk, but on that day he was walking home with one friend who lives slightly nearer the school than he does.

It was on the last part of his journey, in Beacon Way, that he was approached.

Miss Adams said the van driver wound down his window and asked if the school boy wanted a lift. When he replied "no thank you", it is alleged that the man told him to "just get in the van".

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The mum-of-five added: "Alfie told me he just ran and kept running until he got home, and that the van turned around and quickly sped off in the other direction.

"I feel so guilty as I could have picked him up but he likes walking home and I was picking up my other children from Warren Mead, but I could have been there in five or ten minutes.

"Since then Alfie has been a lot more anxious and has asked me to pick him up more often. When he was younger he suffered with anxiety but he is a confident and polite boy but I feel he has suffered from anxiety again."

Alfie was approached on his way home from The Beacon School in Banstead (Image: Grant Melton)

Miss Adams said that the incident has reminded her, and should serve as a warning to others, that children can be at risk in any neighbourhood, village or town.

Alfie described the man as white, with blonde hair and wearing a vest and jeans at the time.

Miss Adams said the first she knew of the incident was when Alfie asked her "if he could get picked up in case that van was there".

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She added: "I didn't have a go at him but I was surprised he didn't tell me, but he said that he knew I had a lot on and didn't want to worry me. It left me heartbroken when he told me, I was just shocked."

Miss Adams subsequently reported it to The Beacon School. Teacher and ex-police officer Ollie Thomas spoke to Alfie and reported it to the police.

The Beacon School head teacher Keith Batchelor said: "Staff have regular and on-going safeguarding training and Mr Thomas' enhanced training meant that he was alert to this incident and was also able to follow our school procedures.

Sarah Adams wants to warn other parents to be vigilant (Image: Grant Melton)

"As attendance officer, Mr Thomas is often at the front of school to welcome students into school and say goodbye at the end of the day. Therefore, he was in a good position to take on this situation.

"Parents should always be vigilant but it is also important that young people have the awareness and ability to manage potential dangers that exist albeit as rare as they are.

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"The school will continue to train staff to be able to effectively deal with any safeguarding situations. For families it is important to maintain good communication so that they can have open conversations about staying safe."

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "At around 3.35pm a Year 7 pupil was walking home from school when he was approached by a man in a black van. The van is reported to have noticeable pink writing on the sides."

Officers urge anybody with any information or anybody who witnessed a suspicious black van in the area around the time of the incident to call 101 quoting reference 45170129938.